Disgraceful effort by Clippers to improve team

This team tanked last season and finished out of the playoffs after finally reaching some respectability the prior season. In addition to the dismal finish, our starting PG is gone for most of next season and maybe gone for the rest of his career. He may never been the same. We released a couple of our better bench players. So where are we....nowhere. Drafting a player doesn't help you gain of the other teams because everybody drafted players. But while other teams that are already stronger that the Clips and finished in the playoffs are making trades and signing players to make their teams even stronger, the Clips sit on their hands and do nothing. Trust me, signing Knight, even if they do, accomplishes absolutely nothing. Knight has led the teams he has been with absolutely nowhere. He isn't even a starter at this point for any team. Juan Carlos, arguably the best player in Europe is still available and we hear only silence from the Clips. He could be signed for a song. So we need to start a new poll soon on how many games the Clips will win next season. Based on what they have accomplished so far, the range should be between 30 and 42. And don't bring me any of that weak "chemistry" bullpucky. I am like ClipperPain.....what Chemistry. Who exactly are we going to finish ahead of in the West. The West is way stronger than it was last year. Every team has improved immensely. Portland, Golden State, even Seattle. We are likely to end up in last place in our division. I'm sorry, if they do not do something big, that it our fate.

clippersforlife33

07/26/2007 - 01:30 PM PST

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as much as i like magggette, i think we should trade him for a pg or a star

C.Diddy

07/26/2007 - 03:57 PM PST

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Wow JamFan...my thoughts exactly...it's like you read my mind...LOL...i was really hoping we could get stevie franchise...in any case, why aren't we going after some big names by shopping around maggette?? we should shop our next year's 1st round pick too, if we have one....what happened to the T-Wolves 1st rd pick they owe us for the cassell trade...i know it was at least one 1st rd pick, which was top 10 protected, but how long does that top 10 provision last?? anyone??

Bottom line is we should be shopping Maggette!! what happened to those prospective deals for Artest, Kirilenko, and even Bibby?? Kirilenko would be a dream, if we could package maggette with some garbage...

ether

07/26/2007 - 06:00 PM PST

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Hey C.Diddy. I believe that Minny's pick is top 10 protected until 2011, at which point it belongs to LAC unrestricted.

david

07/26/2007 - 11:24 PM PST

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Jamfan- I would have to disagree that the team "tanked" last season and had a "dismal finish". Quite the contrary- the team played really well the last few weeks of the season. They finally gelled but their poor play through much of the season earlier really cost them.

Also one thing you guys who think that we should trade Maggette should keep in mind is who's going to pick up the slack in scoring? If you get a PG back who can score (and we already have one in Cassell), you're still lacking the scoring from the small forward position. Maggette is our #2 scorer bar none unless some other player can step up and claim that title.

jlemmen43

07/26/2007 - 11:32 PM PST

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Posts: 1403

Location: Green Bay, WI

votes: 10

I agree...

Thornton can score, but its gonna take him a few times to get the hang of being strong with the ball in his hands. I wouldnt want to throw him in the starting lineup if we dont have to. Maggette knows how to score, Brand and Cassell know how to score...If Mobley is on, he scores a lot and if Kaman bounces back, he'll be scoring too. Considering the troubles we had shooting last year...we'll need all the scoring we can get from our starters and some help off the bench from Tim Thomas, Paul Davis and Q-Ross. I wonder if Q has been working on his shot this offseason...if so, he could be a deadly weapon. He does make teams pay for not guarding him, its just he isnt gonna take many shots. Maybe if he gets better at it, he'll start to be a bigger factor offensively. And also...if Maggette doesnt come back, Q-Ross could be thrust into a bigger contract if he steps up his play this year.

ClipperPains

07/27/2007 - 01:04 AM PST

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Jamfan, I completely agree with you. We aren't doing squat, and are top 3 players are free agents next season. Our PG of the future may never play again and people are ranting about we're 1 player away from a deep run in the playoffs!!! We need a serious reality check. I say trade our Brand, Maggette and Cassell for young guys and future draft picks. All these guys are gone next year whether you want to beleive that or not. At the very least Cassell since he's old and wants a ring and Magette because of his beef with Dunleavy. Maggette forgave him but never forgot.

I proposed a trade of Brand and Cassell for Ellis, Patrick O'Bryant, Pietrus, expiring contracts and 2 first round picks. Trade Maggette for a targetted young guy, Shelden Williams and pick, Tyrus Thomas and a pick, Kyle Lowry since the Griz has Conley, draft rights to foreign players, anyone young, talented and cheap.

I would target 3 young hungry guys, that are atheltic and work hard, NBDL players and NBA fringe players who may turn out to be something. Pops Mensah Bonsu, James White, Alexander Johnson, Will Blalock, Luck Schensher and if they are willing, sign them to 4-5 year contracts worth $11 million bucks total, with the 3rd, 4th or 5th years team option years. Casey Jacobsen recently signed by the Griz would have been a prime candidate.

Cut our payroll, start out fresh, hope for Derrick Rose and Beaseley in the draft, and play all young guys this year and see who steps up.

ClipperPains

07/27/2007 - 01:04 AM PST

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We need to do what Seattle did by trading away it's stars, but not waiting too late. They traded Lewis for a conditional 2nd round pick? Imagine if they traded him during the season for a 1st rounder and got another player like Stuckey or Rudy Fernandez late instead of the conditional 2nd. If we wait too long we won't get nothing.

jlemmen43

07/27/2007 - 01:13 AM PST

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The Maggette/Dunleavy thing got blew out of proportion by the media. It was disagreement between the two...they may have said some things in the heat of the moment, but they are professionals and they arent holding grudges.

jlemmen43

07/27/2007 - 01:16 AM PST

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Location: Green Bay, WI

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Hey, isnt that what Atlanta's been doing the last 10 years...I'd love to be the worst team in the last 10 years...I see a VERY BIG correlation between teams with tons of youngsters and no veteran leadership and Losing Big.

ClipperPains

07/27/2007 - 01:20 AM PST

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You really think so!!! His from Chicago, grandfather is a minister. Beleive me when I say, he's holding on to that. As they say in the hood, "it is what it is." But he ain't gonna take no bullsh-t if he ain't have to. I go to school out here in Newark New Jersey, you mind expands if you choose to let it.

jlemmen43

07/27/2007 - 01:26 AM PST

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Location: Green Bay, WI

votes: 10

That's true. Gotta be careful where you get your information from.

SmyLee

07/27/2007 - 01:29 AM PST

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Location: Bulgaria, EU

votes: 5

WHAT?! "Trade Brand, Maggette, Cassell for young guys"?! and "draft picks"?! Have you lost it?

Dave said Maggette is our #2 scorer, but Corey's actually our #1 scorer when he's not benched for most of the season by DUMBleavy! And that's why Maggette forgave him but never forgot! 'Cause DUMB's messin' BIG TIME!

ClipperPains

07/27/2007 - 01:32 AM PST

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Jellyman43,

I work with the innercity youth, but many have white coat syndrome, fortunately I have been able to get inside the culture through coaching basketball, and I have been introduced to some interesting things.

jlemmen43

07/27/2007 - 01:40 AM PST

Clipper All-Star

Posts: 1403

Location: Green Bay, WI

votes: 10

That's wonderful that you're doing something to help people. I dont know what "white coat syndrome" is, but I'm glad to know that you are affecting people's lives in a positive way.

ClipperPains

07/27/2007 - 01:45 AM PST

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Thanks jellymen43(it's just easier for me to write and fun to say in my head),

Well it's been fun, I think all of you will hold down the buzz nicely. Your not so bad afterall Jellymen43, our passion just flows in different directions, but sometimes we forget about that. Well after my manic phase of basketball I've have to prepare for a long road ahead. Good luck to all! It's been fun.

Trade Maggette??? Looking back at last season. I seem to remember that Maggette was the one that got the Clips out of scoring droughts by driving and getting fouled. I also remember maggette playing smart ball in the starting position late in the season which kept them alive till the final game of the season. I'm sure he proved himself in Dunleavy's eyes which is why he will start this season. trading Maggettte now would be a major mistake. who else will fill in??? Look , why trade a starter for a back up point guard...crazy. Maggette will be looking for a big contract so I'm sure he will play team ball. I didn't see huge offers from any other team last year when he and coach were bumping heads. So why would anyone think that we can get someone of equal value now?

Maggette is a Clipper and should stay as one. Let's see what happens this coming season and if I'm wrong then we have till this season's deadline to try and get someonein place of him.

JamFan

07/27/2007 - 04:32 PM PST

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To me, it doesn't seem like you would want to make a trade to improve the team when you have your full excemption of 5.5 Mil to spend on a free agent to come in and play PG, or spend it on a great shooter. This money wouldn't count against the cap or the luxury tax. The Clips so far have chosen to keep the money in the bank while all the good players have been signed by other team. I say keep Maggette, he and Brand were to the two guys who were carrying the team last year.

clipper*joe

07/27/2007 - 06:02 PM PST

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Look, trades do not equal improvements. Players play in different systems and sometimes a player will not produce or flourish in another system. At this point I would not take that chance. Doe's this mean I don't want to improve the team? No, I just think that we have most of the pieces in place except for a good back up @ PG. .. till Livingston comes back(god willing). Aside from that, I completely agree with you! we should use the extra money to get that point guard we need. But remember , we don't know what is brewing in the pot. Elgin Baylor and the Clipper organization are notorious in keeping mum about anything they do.

I find it hard that some of these clowns see trades as improvements. And these same clowns will later bash or disagree once a trade is made. All they want is to see something move or shake out of impatience....it's the off season for goodness sake! There is time.

Don't get me wrong, a good trade is a good trade but at this point we will be on a losing end with what we are willing to trade compared to what we will receive.

jlemmen43

07/27/2007 - 08:29 PM PST

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Posts: 1403

Location: Green Bay, WI

votes: 10

I absolutely agree. People gotta be patient and let things happen. And just as you said: trades dont necessarily improve teams. Dont forget the best TEAMS win championships, not the best collection of players.

G-Man04

07/28/2007 - 10:51 AM PST

Clipper 6th Man

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I agree ClipperJoe......Sometimes the best trades are the ones you DON'T make......

clipper*joe

07/28/2007 - 12:24 PM PST

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Thanxs G-MAN. Look, all I'm really trying to say is lets not panic at this time. I really don't believe we are in a bad position. Sure we didn't make the play-offs ( barely) but, I'm sure if we had on the last day of the season and were swept against Dallas in the first series, no one would be that upset....right??? We have all of the crew from 2005-2006 season and I do believe we can exceed those accomplishments this coming season. Sacramento and Lakers will not be better than us. Our only obsticle is Phoenix. We have split the season series the last 2 years. What is the problem with wanting too much change???? This will be the last year we will have everyone together...back them up Clipper Nation!

G-Man04

07/28/2007 - 03:21 PM PST

Clipper 6th Man

Posts: 138

votes: 7

.....and we had several players who clearly underachieved (Kaman, Thomas, even Mobley to an extent), not to mention we let several games slip away late in the game that we had control of and should have won. This team could have just as easily won 43-46 games last year had we not had the injuries (particularly Cassell). Kaman has committed himself to having a better season and if Thomas plays a little more consistently and we get something from Thornton (energy, scoring for the second unit) I think this will be a solid contender.

clipper*joe

07/28/2007 - 05:35 PM PST

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RIGHT ON G-MAN04, TELL THEM WHAT TIME IT IS.......

david

07/28/2007 - 10:06 PM PST

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I agree with GMan, JLemm & ClipperJoe. JF- I know what you're saying but it wouldn't be wise to use the MLE just because you have it. You have to give it to players who deserve it. I'm sure there are free agents out there who are just chomping at the bit to get the entire Clipper MLE, but kudos for the team for staying patient. You definitely don't want to get stuck with a bad contract. I don't think the Clippers are being "cheap" here- they're just trying to get good value for the $.